Eighteen-year-old Kerem Kazaz claimed victory on the Sarıkamış Rally, the opening race of the Turkish Rally Championship, changing into the youngest pilot to win a rally race in Türkiye.
With simply two months since his 18th birthday and lately acquiring his driver’s license, Kazaz’s triumph marks a big milestone in his blooming profession, setting his sights on the top of rally racing – the World Rally Championship.
The Sarıkamış Rally, held from Feb. 23-25 in Kars, witnessed Kazaz’s outstanding debut, the place he, alongside his Lithuanian co-pilot Andris Malnieks, secured the highest spot.
As the son of Ercan Kazaz, a four-time Turkish Rally Champion, Kerem Kazaz’s victory not solely solidified his personal place in historical past but in addition signaled the emergence of a brand new era in Turkish rallying.
Reflecting on his groundbreaking achievement, Kazaz attributed his success to relentless arduous work, stating, “To win my first race in Türkiye is incredibly important to me, and I achieved it through dedication and perseverance.”
“Racing has been a part of my life since I was born,” Kazaz remarked, detailing his journey from motocross on the age of 4 to karting and finally competing within the Turkish Circuit Championship at age 15.
Venturing into worldwide competitions at 16 by means of the DriveToTheFuture challenge, Kazaz gained invaluable expertise, culminating in his current victory on Turkish soil.
Despite his younger age, Kazaz has already amassed expertise throughout numerous rally terrains, together with asphalt, gravel and snow.
Acknowledging his desire for dust tracks, he emphasised his ongoing efforts to excel on all surfaces, receiving steering from seasoned professionals to realize his final objective of success on the world stage.
Speaking about his aspirations, Kazaz expressed his ambition to compete within the World Rally Championship, stating: “The Turkish Championship is significant, but my focus is on the World Championship. This year is about development, but next year, I aim to make an impact at the global level.”
His father and mentor, Ercan Kazaz, praised his son’s dedication, highlighting the household’s dedication to nurturing Kerem’s expertise and ambition.
Recognizing the challenges of securing sponsorships and managing budgets within the sport, Ercan emphasised the significance of strategic assist from the Turkish Automobile Federation and legislative reforms to bolster the way forward for rallying in Türkiye.
As Kerem Kazaz continues to rewrite the script of Turkish rallying, his journey represents not solely a private quest for glory but in addition a testomony to the resilience and willpower ingrained within the sport’s DNA.
Source: www.dailysabah.com